Trex Common Questions (FAQ)

Prices will vary based on style, material and color. For example, Trex offers good, better, and best railing options. Trex Select is a good quality railing at an affordable price. The Select railing kits are simple and feature white railing with black balusters. Trex Signature is a better rail offering with 3 colors. Trex Transcend is the best railing option, with 7 color options that match Trex decking. Regardless of the price point that you choose, rest assured that Trex has product and price options for every home. If you are adding stairs to your deck, each Trex rail style offers stair rail kits as well.

The top surface of Trex Transcend, Trex Select, and Trex Enhance decking cannot be painted or stained. However, painting or staining the ends or underside of these deck boards is permitted. Exterior grade paints and stains that adhere well to wood will work on these surfaces. Use care not to allow paint or stain to get onto the top surface of the decking.

Trex recommends using a miter saw with the Trex Blade or a carbide-tipped blade with 60 teeth or more. The Trex Blade comes in three different sizes and is ideal for cutting all Trex railing and decking products.

Trex Protect is a deck flashing tape that protects deck boards from rot and decay, while Trex RainEscape is an entire system of components used to create an underdeck drainage system. Trex Rainescape is for use on a second-story deck to stop rain, snow, or spilled liquids from getting the space underneath wet. It allows a homeowner to create a liveable outdoor area underneath their deck. Trex Protect tape is for safeguarding the wooden joists and beams underneath both lower level and two-story decks made from composite or PVC. It doesn't create a drainage system and will not create a dry space underneath your deck.

Trex RainEscape protects the structural integrity of your deck. It is easy to install. The Trex RainEscape System allows for the creation of an indoor environment outdoors underneath a deck. RainEscape allows for the installation of ceiling fans, speakers, video electronics and furniture that are protected from the elements.

1. RainEscape Downspout - needed at the end of each trough to funnel liquid into the gutter.
2. RainEscape 12' Trough - needed in joist spacings to catch liquids and carry to downspout.
3. RainEscape 16' Trough - needed in joist spacings to catch liquids and carry to downspout.
4. RainEscape 4" X 50' Butyl Tape - ensures a watertight seal.
5. RainEscape Wall Flash - to compress and seal the gap between your first deck board and your house siding.
6. RainEscape Post Flash - slides over 4x4 post and is sealed with caulk to further prevent moisture damage.
7. RainEscape Caulk - used to ensure a watertight seal.

Yes, but it is easier to install with two people. With the easy to follow instructions that come with the Trex RainEscape System, a pair of scissors, utility knife, staple gun, and caulking gun are all you need to install the system in one or two hours on most decks. Each RainEscape product page on our website includes detailed installation videos.

To figure out what materials and components you need to install RainEscape on your deck, it is easiest to use the Trex RainEscape Estimator. Simply enter information on the size and characteristics of your deck to receive a free materials list and price estimate for your RainEscape project. All materials and components you need can then be added to your cart with one click.

Yes, but most RainEscape Systems are installed during a new decking installation. However, a Trex RainEscape System can be installed under an existing deck by removing the existing deck boards. If you decide to remove existing deck boards, then it's helpful to number the deck boards so that they are reinstalled in the same position. Also, realize that the deck screws may drill deeper into the board when reinstalling deck boards.

The Trex RainEscape System is extremely durable made with rugged plastic and ultra violet inhibitors.

If the system is installed correctly, any water that is caught drains out through the downspout in a matter of seconds. Freezing is not an issue when there is no water remaining in the system.

Snow will sit on the decking and, as it melts, will run through the system.

A standard washing or a hard rain will clean out the system of debris or leaves accumulate in the troughs.

There should be very little debris that enters the system because it has to be small enough to fit through the gap in the decking. Small debris simply passes through the system with water. In the rare case that there is some build-up, simply remove the piece of decking over the affected area and clean as needed.

Never splice through the material. See Trex RainEscape instructions for spans that are longer than the trough material. Do not try to repair any damage with the Trex RainEscape tape. Helpful videos are located on each Trex RainEscape product page on our website.

In areas such as the perimeter, or surfaces of brick or stucco where the tape will not stick, use Trex Caulk to adhere the material.

If your deck is going to be built with Trex deck boards, the following is recommended.

Use Black RainEscape if your deck boards are:

• Gravel Path (Transcend)
• Pebble Gray (Select)
• Clam Shell (Enhance)
• Winchester Gray (Select)
• Island Mist (Transcend)

Use Brown RainEscape if your deck boards are:

• Rope Swing (Transcend)
• Beach Dune (Enhance)
• Saddle (Enhance)
• Saddle (Select)
• Tiki Torch (Transcend)
• Tree House (Transcend)
• Havana Gold (Transcend)
• Spiced Rum (Transcend)
• Woodland Brown (Select)
• Madeira (Select)
• Lava Rock (Transcend)
• Fire Pit (Transcend)

If you are not using Trex deck boards, we suggest you use the RainEscape color that is recommended for the deck color most similar to yours. Or, a great rule of thumb is to use Black Trex RainEscape for cool-toned deck board colors and Brown Trex RainEscape for warm-toned deck board colors.

These recommendations are completely optional and you can use black or brown RainEscape with any deck color you please. Both colors provide the same great performance and the color is simply aesthetic based on your style preference.

Trex RainEscape is backed by the Trex RainEscape warranty.

• Products shall be free from material defects in workmanship and materials.
• Warranty lasts for 20 years from the date of original purchase.

Trex RainEscape is warranted to last 20 years from the date of purchase.

Trex Hideaway Fasteners are secured to the joists, and then the deck boards are secured to the fasteners. This keeps the deck boards fastened down without the appearance of screws on the surface of the deck.

The Trex Hidden Fastener has only one 1-5/8" screw to drive in, and auto-spaces the deck boards. Trex decking can be installed faster than traditional face screws.

Yes, but you will need to make grooves on the edge of the deck board above each joist. This can be done quickly and easily using the Trex Slot Cutter, specifically designed for use with the Trex Hideaway Fasteners.

No, Trex Hideaway Fasteners are not meant to work with the TC-G Slot Cutter. The TC-G Slot Cutter is designed to work with the Tiger Claw TC-G for 1" or thicker decking. Be sure to use the Trex Slot Cutter with Trex decking.

No special tools are required when using Trex grooved-edge deck boards, just a drill with a screw drive bit and a standard framing hammer. When using Trex decking without a grooved edge, a Trex Router will be needed to create a groove at each joist.

To find the approximate number of fasteners needed for your deck, simply multiply the number of decking boards by the number of support joists. Divide by 90 to get the number of boxes needed, then round up to the next whole box.

Every box of Trex Hideaway Fasteners includes the stainless steel screws needed for installation.

The Trex Hideaway Hidden Fastener will automatically create a 1/4" space between each decking board.

The design of the Trex Hideaway allows for the post to be installed prior to installing the decking. When notching deck boards around post, it will be helpful to back-cut to ensure a tight fit around rail posts.

When working on decking that is in the walled corner of the house, always start with a small triangular piece of decking in that corner and work your way out. This will make it easy to install your decking evenly against the house. When installing the Trex Hideaway Hidden Fasteners into the deck board, offset the fastener screw hole 1/2" towards the long point of the joist so the screw will not exit the side of the joist when driven.

1. Install a small framing board (10-12 inches) along the side of the joist at which the seam is going to land.
2. Line your first board up with the seam of the joist and the small framing board.
3. Install fasteners and screws at each joist of the first board, including the joist at the seam.
4. Install your second board in the same fashion, and place a second fastener at the seam attaching it to the small framing block.

1. Make two parallel cuts down the center of the board to be replaced, and remove the center piece.
2. Using a claw hammer, bend the tab on the side of the board with the screw heads showing. Bend it downward so that it does not interfere with the spacer tab.
3. Position new board into place, and carefully slide onto remaining tabs.
4. Once fully installed, the deck board will drop into position.
5. Once the board is set into position, secure it using a 1/8th inch drill bit. Place the bit into the seam of the board and into the groove. Predrill a pilot hole through the board at a 45 degree angle.
6. Install a stainless steel finish screw through groove into the joist to hold the board in place.

There are many components that make up a Trex Signature Railing System. We broke down the process into steps to simplify the process for ordering Trex Signature railing components:

1. Choose your rails & infill.
2. Add posts, caps & skirts.
3. Pick out any accessories, such as cocktail rail brackets or brackets for specialty angles and applications.

Trex Signature aluminum railing is available in Charcoal Black, Bronze, and Classic White.

Note: Trex Signature rails may be used in combination with Trex Transcend posts. This may be a good option when choosing a Transcend color rail that is paired with a Charcoal Black, Classic White, or Bronze Signature rail.

Signature railing should not be painted unless there are issues with scratches that may need to be repaired. If your railing is scratched, use the Signature Touch-Up Paint Pen to address smaller areas.

A Trex Signature Rail Panel is a complete railing section with balusters that are pre-assembled and welded together. It is the same Trex Signature Railing provided in traditional kits, but in a much easier and quicker to install form that comes ready to be attached between two posts.

It is available in a 6 foot panel that is 72” x 36” or an 8 foot panel that is 96” x 36”.

If the Signature railing panel does not fit, it can easily cut to size during installation.

Trex Signature is backed by the Trex Signature Railing Limited Warranty:

• Products shall be free form material defects in workmanship and materials.
• Warranty lasts for 25 years from the date of original purchase.

There are many components that make up a Trex Select Railing System. We broke down the process into steps to simplify the process for ordering Trex Select railing components:

1. Choose your rail kit.
2. Add post sleeves, caps, and skirts.
3. Pick out any accessories you may need.

Trex Select railing is only sold as kits. The individual components are not sold separately.

Trex Select railings can be painted because they are only available in the Classic White color option. Likewise, the only Trex Enhance railings that can be painted are those that are the Classic White color option.

• A high-quality, fast-dry Alkyd primer should be used as a base coat, followed by oil or water-based exterior trim paint.
• Only light colors should be used - no darker colors (black, brown, forest green, etc.), as darker colors may draw excessive heat and damage the composite material.
• Use something such as an abrasive pad or steel wool to dull/buff the surfaces prior to painting, as surface abrasion may promote better paint adhesion.
• Clean surfaces with acetone, isopropyl alcohol, or denatured alcohol before applying paint.
• Never use ketones (MeK, MiBk) or xylene as surface conditioners.
• Allow all surfaces to dry completely before applying paint.

To clean Trex Select railing:

1. Use a soft bristle brush, soap and warm water to remove dirt or debris.
2. Remove color transfer with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
3. Remove small surface scratches, marks or scuffs with Dupli-Color Scratch Seal Clear Sealer Pen.

NEVER use acetone or other solvents on your Trex Select railing.

Transcend products are the highest-performance composite decking and railing offered by Trex. Trex Transcend is the most luxurious Trex product line because it offers the widest range of color and design options. It allows homeowners and builders to easily customize railing to fit the style of any home or building.

Trex Transcend Railings offers the broadest range of colors and finishes with railing options that offer nearly limitless opportunities to mix and match profiles and colors for a customized look. Match railing colors to decking or even Trex Furniture. Choose from Classic White, Charcoal Black, Vintage Lantern, Rope Swing, and Gravel Path.

The only Trex Transcend railings that can be painted are those that are the Classic White color option.

• A high-quality, fast-dry Alkyd primer should be used as a base coat, followed by oil or water-based exterior trim paint.
• Only light colors should be used - no darker colors (black, brown, forest green, etc.), as darker colors may draw excessive heat and damage the composite material.
• Use something such as an abrasive pad or steel wool to dull/buff the surfaces prior to painting, as surface abrasion may promote better paint adhesion.
• Clean surfaces with acetone, isopropyl alcohol, or denatured alcohol before applying paint.
• Never use ketones (MeK, MiBk) or xylene as surface conditioners.
• Allow all surfaces to dry completely before applying paint.

In order to perfectly match Trex Transcend decking, Trex Transcend Railing is made of the same durable composite material as the decking. Although the top and bottom rails are composite, the balusters will vary in the material due to personal preference and style. Trex Transcend railing can be paired with composite balusters, aluminum balusters, and glass balusters.

There are many components that make up a Trex Transcend Railing System. We broke down the process into steps to simplify the process for ordering Trex Transcend railing components:

1. Choose your top & bottom rails.
2. Add infill & balusters.
3. Add post sleeves, caps & skirts.
4. Pick out any accessories that you may want. Note: One common accessory is the hardware kit for cut rails. This kit is used when a longer railing is cut into shorter sections and allows you to use both sections (may be needed in areas where the rail ends near a house or when you cut a section in half).

You can also purchase Trex Transcend railing in kits, making ordering even easier:

1. Choose your rail kit.
2. Add post sleeves, caps & skirts.
3. Finally, add any accessories you may want.

The first generation of Trex Transcend products was discontinued in 2013, so we only carry the second generation of Trex Transcend products. The first generation was a wood/plastic composite with no outer protective shell. Because of this, the color faded quickly. The second generation has a new shell finish, making these products resistant to color fading.

Trex Transcend is backed by the Trex Limited Warranty.

• Products shall be free from material defects in workmanship and materials, and shall not split, splinter, rot or suffer structural damage from termites or fungal decay.
• Residential warranty lasts for 25 years from the date of original purchase.
• Commercial warranty lasts for 10 years from the date of original purchase.

1. Use a soft bristle brush, soap and warm water to remove dirt or debris.
2. Remove color transfer with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
3. Remove small surface scratches, marks or scuffs with Dupli-Color Scratch Seal Clear Sealer Pen.

NEVER use acetone or other solvents on your Transcend Railing.

The Trex ADA Handrail is compatible with Trex's Select, Signature, and Transcend railing lines.

Only use the Trex Transformer with Trex DeckLighting. The use of any other transformer will void the warranty.

The Trex DeckLighting Remote Dimmer must be installed in a dry location. Keep dimmer remote ID# in a safe place in case a replacement remote is needed. The timer must be installed vertically with the receptacle facing downwards and not reaching ground level. The timer must be in view of the sun to use the dusk/dawn feature.

The Trex DeckLighting Remote Dimmer will work in a 30' radius of the unit.